Jeff Howard, Southern Cross Media Group MD and CEO, has stepped down suddenly from the recently merged business.
Howard became the CEO and MD of Southern Cross Media following the merger of Seven West Media and Southern Cross Austereo earlier this year.
Howard had been due to present the company’s half year earnings tomorrow morning.
John Kelly, boss of SCA until the merger, has been named interim CEO for TV and radio.
New chair Heith Mackay-Cruise – who took over from Kerry Stokes today – will become interim executive chair.
Interim CFO Toby Potter will become Southern Cross’ chief transformation officer, TV and audio. Scott Butterworth has been named the full time CFO.
“As the company accelerates the delivery of its strategy, SCA’s newly constituted board has determined it is the appropriate time to appoint new leadership to take the Group forward and execute our plans,” said Mackay-Cruise.
“On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Jeff for his efforts across the period of transition, with the successful implementation of the scheme of arrangement and creation of a market-leading, multi-platform media company now complete.
“The board is confident in our team’s capability to apply the financial discipline and industry leading expertise to drive scale and performance for Southern Cross Media Group moving forward.”
Howard became the boss of Seven in 2024 after his predecessor, James Warburton, left in similarly sudden circumstances.
